AFA of PA ACTION ALERT: Immigration Bills -- Memorial Day 2007

AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA

ACTION ALERT

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P.O. Box 1048

149 Summit Drive

Franklin, PA   16323

Phone:  1.814.271.9078   FAX:  1.814.437.5432

http://www.afaofpa.org

 

AFA of PA ACTION ALERT     

 

 May 25, 2007

 

1.)  Immigration Bills Information

2.)  Memorial Day 2007

 

As we think of  Monday’s observation of Memorial Day  and the hundreds of thousands who have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, we can’t help but wonder if many of them would even recognize the nation they died to defend.   I don’t need to go through a litany of problems our nation faces . . . you know what they are.   But one thing that stands out in light of actions in Washington and my recent interview with Representative Daryl Metcalfe – the immigration and border security issue. 

 

On March 22 a packet of five bills was introduced in the State House in Harrisburg– the National Security Begins at Home packet.   It consists of the following bills – check to see if your State Representative has signed on as a co-sponsor.

 

H.B. 750 – prohibits employment of illegal aliens 

H.B. 751 – providing for a memorandum of understanding between the Commonwealth and the United States Department of Justice or Department of Homeland Security.

H.B. 752 – Allows for the inclusion of ‘citizenship or immigration status’ to be recorded in the “criminal history record information’ collected by criminal justice agencies.

H.B. 753 -- Prohibits certain licensees from knowingly employing illegal aliens; and imposing sanctions.

H.B. 754 -- Requires verification of the lawful presence in the United States of any natural person 18 years of age or older who has applied for public benefits.

History of Memorial Day

 

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day.  One such city is Boalsburg, PA.  Click here to read its story.  There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Duke University’s Historic American Sheet Music). 

 

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war).

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day.  To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."  

The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

 

                                                                                                   

ACTION NEEDED: 

 

1.)  If your State Representative is not listed as a co-sponsor of the Natural Security Begins at Home packet of bills listed above, please contact him or her and ask that they add their name.  Click here to find your State Representative.  

 

2.)  Take time this weekend to think about the sacrifices that have been made to preserve our freedoms and renew your commitment to work in returning this nation to the Christian principles upon which it was founded.

 

3.)  Feel free to forward this alert to other concerned Pennsylvanians.  If this alert is being forwarded to you by a friend, please feel free to sign up by clicking here.   Please indicate in which county you live.

 

4.)  Please consider supporting the ongoing work of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania.  Make an online donation.

 

In His service,

 

Diane Gramley

President

American Family Association of PA

 

AFA of PA encourages Christians, through education, to become involved in pro-family issues in their community, state and the nation.